Subsequent alkali-silane treated cellulose-free veld grape fiber and Ziziphus jujuba microparticle epoxy composite: characterization study.

This research looked at how the properties of an epoxy-based biocomposite changed when a cellulose-free veldt grape (Cissus quadrangularis) fiber (VGF) and Ziziphus jujuba seed (ZJS) micro powder were added. The primary goal of this study was to reveal how cellulose-free plant fiber influences on the load-bearing and time-dependent behavior of a polymer matrix composite. The fiber was treated with 0.5, 1, and 2 N NaOH solution as three stands and subsequently treated using aminosilane. The composites were made using a hand layup process and tested. It is noted that the subsequent alkali treatment on fiber and silane treatment improved the mechanical properties by up to 59%. A highest tensile strength of 148 MPa was noted for composite with "A3" designation. Similarly, the fatigue life counts also improved from 974 to 36,471 counts when 30 vol.% of VGF addition with 1 vol.% of particle. Similar findings were found in SEM pictures of fractured composites, which showed strongly reacted phases of fiber. However, the addition of cellulose-free fiber slightly increased the water uptake behavior, but is acceptable in range. The results of this characterization study showed that epoxy with surface-modified VGF and ZJS composites might be employed in a variety of industrial applications to reduce weight and high-performance activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]